Mississippi River Squadron

The Mississippi River Squadron was the Union brown-water naval squadron that operated on the western rivers during the American Civil War. It was initially created as a part of the Union Army, although it was commanded by naval officers, and was then known as the Western Gunboat Flotilla and sometimes as the Mississippi Flotilla. It received its final designation when it was transferred to the Union Navy at the beginning of October 1862.

Mississippi River Squadron
Vessels of the Mississippi River Squadron in the Battle of Island Number Ten.
Active1861 - 1865
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeNaval squadron
EngagementsAmerican Civil War

History

American Civil War
Main article: Western Theater of the American Civil War

The squadron was created on May 16, 1861, and was controlled by the Union Army until September 30, 1862. John Rodgers was the first commander of the squadron and was responsible for the construction and organization of the fleet. Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote relieved Rodgers and encouraged the army commander in the west, Major General Henry W. Halleck, to authorize an expedition down the Tennessee River against Fort Henry. Operating in conjunction with Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the District of Cairo, Foote subdued Fort Henry before Grant's troops could take their positions.

Rear Admiral David D. Porter's flagship

Foote led the squadron in the attack on Fort Donelson and then joined with Maj. Gen. John Pope's Army of the Mississippi for a joint attack on Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River. Charles H. Davis relieved Foote and proceeded to take Fort Pillow on the Mississippi. The U. S. Ram Fleet, commanded by Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., accompanied the squadron during the Battle of Memphis. After the capture of Memphis the squadron was transferred to the control of the U.S. Navy. The transfer included the Ram Fleet, by then reconstituted as the Mississippi Marine Brigade. Davis aided Grant's unsuccessful first campaign against Vicksburg. Rear Admiral David D. Porter relieved Davis in command and led the squadron at Arkansas Post and during the successful Vicksburg Campaign and siege of the city.

Red River Campaign

Porter led the squadron during the disastrous Red River Campaign of 1864, and when the waters of the river dropped, the fleet was almost lost. The engineering abilities of Colonel Joseph Bailey, who supervised the construction of Bailey's Dam, helped save the fleet. During the Red River Campaign, the Mississippi Squadron was composed of 10 ironclads, 3 monitors, 11 tin-clads, 1 timber-clad, 1 ram and various support vessels, including vessels in the following table:

ShipType
USS Osagetwin-turret river monitor
USS Neoshotwin-turret river monitor
USS Ozarksingle-turret river monitor
USS Eastportcasemate ironclad
USS Essexcasemate ironclad
USS Baron DeKalbcasemate ironclad
USS Bentoncasemate ironclad
USS Carondeletcasemate ironclad
USS Cincinnaticasemate ironclad
USS Louisvillecasemate ironclad
USS Mound Citycasemate ironclad
USS Pittsburghcasemate ironclad
USS Lexingtontimberclad
USS Moosesternwheel steamer
USS Ouachitasidewheeler steamer
USS Nyanzasidewheeler steamer

Command temporarily passed to Alexander Pennock before Samuel P. Lee assumed command. Lee was in command until the squadron was discontinued on August 14, 1865.

List of Commanding Officers
Squadron CommanderFromToMajor Battles
Commander John Rodgers16 May 186130 August 1861construction of squadron
Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote30 August 18619 May 1862Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Island No. 10
Flag Officer Charles H. Davis9 May 186215 October 1862Fort Pillow, Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou
Rear Admiral David D. Porter15 October 1862July 1864Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Red River Campaign
Captain Alexander M. PennockJuly 18641 November 1864temporary
Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee1 November 186414 August 1865
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See also

References
  • Eicher, John H. and Eicher, David J. (2001) Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3
  • Mahan, A. T. (1885). The Navy in the Civil War. New York, Charles Scribner's sons.
  • Nevin, David (1983) The Road to Shiloh: Early Battles in the West, The Civil War series, Alexandria, VA : Time-Life Books, ISBN 0-8094-4716-9
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